After a pause, Shang Shaoyan said, "Only this makes sense—now I've discovered that besides me, there is another person who wants to conquer the world, and has made ample preparations, no less thorough than mine."
Qiao Xiuyu nodded in realization. Shang Shaoyan continued, "According to what you said, your brother hasn't contacted you for three months. It's been you who's sending letters to him. This is enough to explain two things: first, your brother is busy reforming the court; second, he's deliberately downplaying your presence."
"Your elder brother is unwell, and I suspect he's paving the way for you. Because if he were gone, you would be the most rightful heir. But to protect you from harm, he won't reveal this intention, and might even feign a lack of affection for you... But this one—"
As Shang Shaoyan spoke, he tapped the letter on the table, his eyes cold: "She seems to have seen through your brother's plan. She wants you to return to Northern Zhou, but only because she cares about me and wants to protect you. If you return to Northern Zhou, you probably won't live for more than a few days."
She was almost laughing in anger—Xie Huayin was really something, actually setting her sights on her lover.
Qiao Xiuyu was stunned when Shang Shaoyan finished speaking.
He struggled to accept that his elder brother's days were numbered, murmuring, "But my brother... he said that once he recovered, he wanted to find a beautiful place to live in seclusion. How could he..."
Shang Shaoyan put his arm around Qiao Xiuyu's waist, buried his face in her chest, and said in a muffled voice, "I will ask Lin Jing to treat your brother's illness, don't be sad."
When he said this, even Shang Shaoyan was stunned.
Qiao Yu is neither the foolish and mediocre Emperor Chen nor the ruthless and cold-blooded Emperor Zhou. He will surely be a wise and benevolent ruler. If he ascends to the throne, my future path will not be smooth.
Shang Shaoyan knew he shouldn't have saved Qiao Yu—even though he said he "wanted to retire to the mountains," she didn't quite believe him.
But Qiao Xiuyu was very sad.
She didn't want to see him sad.
At worst... at worst, she can just try harder in the future.
Qiao Xiuyu understood the intricacies of the situation. He was prepared for Shang Shaoyan to remain silent. He loved her and respected her ambition, but he couldn't help feeling a little sad because it meant that in Shang Shaoyan's eyes, he might not be that important.
It certainly can't compare to her empire.
Hearing Shang Shaoyan say that, he suddenly felt at ease.
It wasn't just because Qiao Yu was saved, but more because his feelings had been reciprocated—Shang Shaoyan cared about him.
He looked down at Shang Shaoyan's upturned face, bright and exquisite, her eyes full of concern, as if they held a thousand stars. In the end, he only saw his own reflection.
He couldn't help but lean down and kiss Shang Shaoyan's forehead with a touch of affection, jokingly saying, "It seems that in An'an's heart, I am already as important as your empire."
Shang Shaoyan wouldn't say something as foolish as "you are more important than the country," but Qiao Xiuyu was right, they were equally important.
Shang Shaoyan chuckled and nuzzled Qiao Xiuyu's neck, saying sweetly, "You know that's good! I like you so much, so don't do anything to betray me in the future—"
Qiao Xiuyu thought for a moment and asked, "What kind of thing would be considered an act of wrongdoing?"
Shang Shaoyan pondered for a moment, then counted on his fingers: "Including but not limited to telling others about my plans, falling for other women..."
Qiao Xiuyu smiled and pinched Shang Shaoyan's nose, saying helplessly, "These things will never happen."
He paused, then frowned and said, "My lord, you deserve to be drowned in a pig cage for what you've done."
Shang Shaoyan: "..."
She rubbed her temples, feeling a bit of a headache, and complained, "What kind of weird stuff did Li Langxuan show you?"
At first, she felt this suited her perfectly, but now she felt a little uneasy: "At most, I'll kill you with a sword and give you a quick death. To drown you in a pig cage is a bit too cruel."
These words sounded quite frightening, but Qiao Xiuyu didn't care—this was her An'an, an ambitious future ruler who couldn't tolerate any injustice.
Qiao Xiuyu smiled: "Don't worry, I still want to be your royal consort and stay with you for life. How could I do anything to betray you?"
Shang Shaoyan was pleased with himself and pestered Qiao Xiuyu, asking, "Is the Emperor going to bring a lot of dowry? What kind of dowry are you going to bring?"
Qiao Xiuyu had an idea in mind, but she refused to say it no matter what.
Shang Shaoyan had only asked casually, but now he was genuinely curious and quickly asked, "Pearls? Coral? Gold? You're not going to bring a mountain of gold as your dowry, are you—"
Qiao Xiuyu smiled helplessly: "Yes, we have both."
Shang Shaoyan was delighted and skipped happily to the kitchen to see what they would eat today.
Qiao Xiuyu watched Shang Shaoyan's lively and pretty back with a smile, feeling warm inside.
His An'an is the best girl in the world, and mountains of gold and silver are not enough.
He wanted to present the entire world as a "dowry" to her.
...
Southern Chen, Hangzhou.
Emperor Chen had a wonderful time with Shang Yunlan. When he left Hangzhou, he was a little reluctant to leave and said to Shang Yunlan, "My dear Shang, I have decided to build a separate palace in Hangzhou so that I can come and visit often in the future."
Shang Yunlan thought to herself, "You might not even be able to leave Hangzhou," but she smiled and said, "If Your Majesty trusts me, why not entrust this matter of building a separate palace to me?"
Emperor Chen was overjoyed and repeatedly praised his beloved minister Shang, saying, "He is sensible and considerate, and the most loyal minister in the world."
The two were chatting and laughing when suddenly a figure rushed towards them, holding a sharpened dagger in his hand, and yelled with a twisted face, "You dog emperor! Die!"
Those around were terrified. Even the guards brought by Emperor Chen seemed to freeze in place, but Shang Yunlan reacted quickly and shielded Emperor Chen behind her, taking the blow for him.
Where Emperor Chen could not see, Shang Yunlan moved her fingers, and the guards seemed to react then, quickly surrounding Emperor Chen and capturing the assassin.
Only then did everyone see the assassin's face clearly; it was Yan Heng.
Shang Yunlan feigned shock as she looked at Yan Heng: "You, you... Yan Heng, how could you be so audacious!"
Emperor Chen could no longer care about Yan Heng. He looked at Shang Yunlan, whose abdomen was bleeding profusely, and cried out in anguish, "My dear Shang, hold on! You can't die—if you die, who will build me a separate palace? If you die, who will amass wealth for me?"
Shang Yunlan: "..."
How shameless of you!
But he still maintained a magnanimous demeanor: "Your Majesty, rest assured, this humble subject will not, will not..."
Then she fainted and lost consciousness.
Emperor Chen cried a few times before turning to Yan Heng, his face contorted with rage: "You dared to assassinate me! And you even injured my beloved Minister Shang!"
Emperor Chen was furious: "Execute their entire family! They must be executed!"
The head guard hesitated and said, "But Your Majesty, the punishment of exterminating nine generations of a family also includes the Prince... and the ailing Consort Zhao."
Emperor Chen: "..."
He paused, then said viciously, "Then execute him by slow slicing!"
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